Wearing Uncomfortable Shoes: The Health Dangers

Uncomfortable shoes may not sound like a serious issue, and, in some cases, they aren’t. But there may be far more health implications and dangers from wearing them than you might think. So today, Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC are sharing some information about the health dangers of wearing shoes that are too tight or uncomfortable. 

The Health Dangers 

Aggravate Bunions: A bunion is a bump that forms on the joint at the base of your big toe when it pushes against your next toe, causing the joint of the big toe to get larger and stick out. Cramping your feet together in a small space can lead to and worsen this painful condition. 

Joint Pain: If your shoes don’t have proper shock absorption - or the absorption they do have is uncomfortable - sore joints can develop. If your shoes don’t absorb some of the impact, the knee can bear the brunt of every step, leading to the worsening of arthritis symptoms and severe joint pain.

Calluses: When you force your feet into uncomfortable shoes, you create pressure on the toes and the sides of your feet, eventually causing calluses. Normally calluses don’t cause pain, but they can be unattractive.

Elevated Risk For:

Ingrown Toenails: A shoe that does not provide sufficient space for your toes put your toenails under greater pressure. This pressure can often lead to ingrown toenails, which develop when the side of your toenail grows into your skin.

Heel Pain: Heel pain can come from several different sources. The most common include bruising from contact, weight gain, or shoes that are too tight. Picking the correct type of shoes for exercise, replacing shoes that show noticeable signs of wear, and wearing comfortable shoes, are all good ways to avoid this issue.

Athlete’s Foot From Poorly-Fitting Shoes: Wearing uncomfortable shoes can greatly increase your risk for athlete’s foot, which is an itchy, burning skin irritation that typically develops on the sole of the foot or between the toes. It is tiny fungi that love to hang out in moist, warm places such as sweaty, uncomfortable shoes.

Wearing uncomfortable shoes will lead to consequences that are more painful, impactful, and varied than many people might think. So take good care of your feet, and if those stylish shoes don’t make your feet feel good, don’t wear them! 

If you are experiencing any of these issues, don’t hesitate to contact the offices of Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC to schedule an appointment.

We serve both New Haven County and Fairfield County areas. Schedule an appointment by calling our Waterbury office at (203) 755-0489 or our Newtown location at (203) 270-6724.